GOAT: Tamil Cinema’s Desi Ethan Hunt with a Family Twist
“GOAT” or “Greatest of All Time” takes a shot at creating Tamil cinema’s answer to the iconic Ethan Hunt from the “Mission Impossible” series, played by Tom Cruise. But before we get too excited about the comparison, let’s remember that this ‘Gandhi’, the Desi special agent portrayed by Vijay, has a family life filled with the typical pressures of a family man. Think pick-ups and drop-offs at school, grocery lists, office party escapades, and creative excuses to avoid the wrath of his wife.
From the outset, director Venkat Prabhu populates the plot with a diverse team of agents, akin to Ethan Hunt’s crew. The ensemble cast, featuring Jayaram, Prashant, Prabhu Deva, and Ajmal, are not merely background characters but are given ample space and significance in the storyline.
The film offers a plethora of action sequences, including exhilarating train chases across the African desert, high-speed car chases in Thailand, bike pursuits in Moscow, and intense hand-to-hand combat in the familiar coaches of the Chennai metro. True to Tom Cruise’s style, Vijay performs daring stunts such as rappelling down skyscrapers and parachuting off buildings, all while humming the iconic “Mission Impossible” theme.
“GOAT” also pays homage to other films with numerous references. These nods come through dialogues and background tracks from past Vijay films and various Tamil cinema classics.
On the family front, Sneha shines as Gandhi’s wife, playing a significant role in the film. Their interactions range from playful to emotional, with a memorable sequence set in Thailand that sets the tone for the film.
For those who view “GOAT” as Vijay’s swan song before his anticipated entry into Tamil Nadu politics, the film subtly hints at his political aspirations. This is evident in the bar setting of the first song, which plays with the words “Champagne and campaign,” and later in comedy sequences where Premgi Amaren references Vijay’s future political moves.
The film also features a nod to the late Captain Vijayakanth, a Tamil hero known for his roles as special agents and soldiers, through an AI resurrection. This tribute reflects Vijay’s respect for the veteran actor with whom he worked early in his career.
Despite some criticism of Vijay’s de-aged portrayal, the film balances the interplay between Thalapathy (as Vijay is affectionately known) and Ilaya Thalapathy (Junior Commander) effectively. The film’s three-hour runtime feels engaging, though the plot twists are often predictable.
In contrast to Vijay’s previous special agent roles in “Thuppakki” and “Beast,” which emphasized his superstar image and action sequences, “GOAT” stands out by incorporating a well-rounded set of characters and a more engaging narrative.
“GOAT” delivers on action, stunts, and mass appeal for Vijay’s fans, alongside some emotional twists, dance numbers, and a somewhat unnecessary ‘item song’ featuring Trisha. While Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music does its job in enhancing the scenes, it lacks the memorable quality typically found in Vijay’s films.
PS: One aspect that feels off in “GOAT” is the choice of the lead character’s name, Gandhi. The juxtaposition of a gun-toting special agent with the name Gandhi, along with the character’s behavior, feels incongruent and at times, cringe-worthy. This is the second instance in recent Tamil cinema where a character named Gandhi engages in activities far removed from the legacy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.READ MORE
